Model Railroading Operations 101: Part 5 – Road Switching Problems Fred Bock, MMR, Chief Dispatcher, M&Sw & Tom Crosthwait President, Mogollon & Southwestern RR

The Dispatcher [Rule 990] #1: Keep trains on the main line from crashing into each other! #2: Keep trains from creating a traffic jam that ties up the railroad. #3: Keep traffic flowing smoothly #4: Give each train crew the “time and track” it needs to get it’s job done. On the M&Sw, it’s usual practice to have a dispatcher when there are 3 or more trains in mainline operation at the same time.

Train Crew Roles Engineer: Conductor-Brakeman Operates the locomotive. Model Railroading Train Crew Roles Engineer: Operates the locomotive. STAYS AHEAD OF HIS MOVING LOCOMOTIVE AT ALL TIMES! Communicates only with conductor. Keeps a keen eye on his loco and train. Watches / listens for derailed cars or locos. Conductor-Brakeman “Boss” of the train. Directs the engineer on running the train. Communicates with dispatcher, yardmaster, and other conductors. Directs switching moves. Throws turnouts. Uncouples cars as needed. Does roll-by inspections of other trains. [Rule 712, Rule 713] Watches / listens for derailed cars or locomotives. [Rule 920, Rule 800, 801, Rule 712]

Whistle & Bell Signals All aboaaaard! Train is leaving MODEL RAILROAD ^ Whistle & Bell Signals [Rule 30] All aboaaaard! Train is leaving Grade Crossing warning Approaching Station Approaching Station (last 200’) Leaving Station (first 200’) While Switching (sometimes) “TooooooooooooooooT” “Toot-Toot” (two short) “Toooot-Toooot-Tut-Tooooooot” (last “toot” is extended until the loco passes over road crossing) “ToooooooooooooooooooT” (ends after loco is past the station or comes to a stop). Bell should start ringing to warn people on the ground near the train before the train stops or before the train begins to move again.

Turnouts – Ground Throws Main route – usually straight Diverging route – usually curved Rule 104: Train crews are responsible for the position of turnouts used by them and members of their crew, except when control is remote. Turnouts must be properly lined after having been used.

Hand Signals for Switching With modern DCC sound systems, the noise in an operating session is high. Some operators have hearing problems. Implication: it’s better to use hand signals between conductor-brakeman and engineer than to try to talk above the noise of locomotives and other operators. Rule 7: hand signals must be given sufficiently in advance to permit compliance. . .

Common Hand Signals Back-up (reverse) MODEL RAILROAD ^ Common Hand Signals [RULE 8] Back-up (reverse) Slowly (inching) Controlled stop Stop You are coupled up Go forward OK Highball (leave town) - beckon toward self with circular motion. - fingers come together - hands come together - hold closed hand up. - make closed fist, shake once. - move open palm, fingers closed, up and down away from you. - thumbs-up /or/ circle - pull imaginary steam whistle twice (“Toot – Toot”)

Basic Problems The first few switching problems are basic moves involving a single car: Trailing Point – pick-up Trailing Point – set-out Facing Point – pick-up (with run-around) Facing Point – set-out (with run-around) Note: the arriving train should take the siding before beginning any local switching. (This keeps the main track clear as much as possible for meets and passes).

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Trailing Point Pickup Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP [105] NdeM [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Pick-up>> BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos Packing Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw SFRD PFE SP loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Facing Point Pickup Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP [105] NdeM [108] GN [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Pick-up>> GN 33454 Box AZS Jct - Crusher Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw SFRD PFE SP loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Trailing Point Set-Out Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP [105] NdeM [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Set-Out>> SP 139045 Box Gila Lumber Co. Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw SFRD PFE SP loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Multiple Trailing Point Set-Out Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP [105] NdeM [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Set-Out>> SP 139045 Box Gila Lumber Co. PFE 78436 Reefer San Carlos Packing Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw SFRD PFE SP loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami Facing Point Set-Out Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] [101] BREX [101] M&Sw SFRD PFE SP [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP [105] NdeM [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house “Ore House” (Crusher) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Set-Out>> SP 139045 Box Gila Lumber Co. Bock Perlite CB&Q loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

RailOp Switching Manifest – Miami (a typical combination of moves) TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Pick-up>> BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos Packing CB&Q 2134 Cov.Hop. Bock Perlite <<Set-Out>> SP 32861 Box Team Track PFE 12345 Reefer San Carlos Packing SFRD 8923 Reefer San Carlos Packing Arizona Southern Junction: <<Pick-Up>> NdeM 4423 Flat AZS Interchange FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange M&Sw 798 Flat AZS Interchange Train 121 is to pick these cars up in Miami. Cars that left Globe on Train 121; your job is to set them out at the industries listed for Miami. Train 121 picks these two cars up off the AZS Interchange Track. Train 121 sets this car out on the AZS Interchange Track.

M&Sw Local Switching – Miami (typical combination of moves) Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP [105] NdeM [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house TRAIN 121: Happy Jack Turn Miami: <<Pick-up>> BREX 2334 Reefer San Carlos Packing CB&Q 2134 Cov.Hop. Bock Perlite <<Set-Out>> SP 32861 Box Team Track PFE 12345 Reefer San Carlos Packing SFRD 8923 Reefer San Carlos Packing Arizona Southern Junction: <<Pick-Up>> NdeM 4423 Flat AZS Interchange FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange M&Sw 798 Flat AZS Interchange “Ore House” (Crusher) Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw SFRD PFE SP loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

Interchange Movements The next several problems involve interchange movements from the Ferrocarril del Pacifico / Arizona Southern. The easiest problem is a swap of cars for the M&Sw from the FCP with cars going to the FCP from the M&Sw. “Local” trains in Mexico are often mixed trains – “mixtos”. In addition to a caboose, a coach is carried for local passenger service. (In the USA, a coach or combine often serves as both caboose and passenger service). In either case, the “passenger car” must be set-out adjacent to the depot while local switching is going on to accommodate safe discharge and boarding of passengers and their luggage. The passenger car is tacked onto the end of the train when it departs for the next town.

FCP Interchange – AZS Junction Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP ChP PFE FCP [105] NdeM [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house TRAIN -- FCP Extra 1401 North (FCP Exchange): Arizona Southern Junction: <<Pick-Up>> NdeM 4423 Flat AZS Interchange FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange <<Set-Out>> ChP 12324 Box AZS Interchange PFE 569034 Reefer AZS Interchange FCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange Special Instructions: FCP X-1401 (South) returns to Nogales without turning locomotive. Locomotive FCP 1401 is an RS-11 and is equipped for bi-directional running. “Ore House” (Crusher) Bock Perlite CB&Q loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

FCP Mixed Train – AZS Jct / Miami Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX NdeM [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP ChP PFE FCP [105] FCP-coach [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house TRAIN -- FCP 1401 Mixto del Norte (FCP Mixed Train): Arizona Southern Junction / Miami: <<Pick-Up>> NdeM 4423 Flat Gila Lumber Co. FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange <<Set-Out>> ChP 12324 Box AZS Interchange PFE 569034 Reefer San Carlos Packing FCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange Special Instructions: Leave FCP coach adjacent to Miami depot while switching. Train may use mainline trackage between Zingerle Bridge and Tunnel #1 subject to dispatcher approval. Coach return to Nogales with FCP 1401 Mixto del Sur (South). “Ore House” (Crusher) Bock Perlite CB&Q loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

FCP Mixed Train – AZS Jct / Miami Cutter Flour Mill San Carlos Packing Co. Gila Lumber Co. (to Payson) [103] BREX NdeM [101] [101] [101] AZS Interchange [102] [102] [104] [201] [202] [203] [107] [101] FCP ChP PFE FCP [105] FCP-coach [108] [205] [204] Team Track Freight House [106] bagging house TRAIN -- FCP 1401 Mixto del Norte (FCP Mixed Train Extra): Arizona Southern Junction / Miami: <<Pick-Up>> NdeM 4423 Flat Gila Lumber Co. FCP 23876 Box AZS Interchange <<Set-Out>> ChP 12324 Box AZS Interchange PFE 569034 Reefer San Carlos Packing FCP 38973 Box AZS Interchange Special Instructions: Leave FCP coach adjacent to Miami depot while switching. Mixto 1401 may use M&Sw mainline trackage between Zingerle Bridge and Tunnel #1 subject to dispatcher orders. Mixto 1401 takes siding to meet M&Sw No. 121 in Miami. FCP coach returns to Nogales with FCP 1401 Mixto del Sur (South). “Ore House” (Crusher) Bock Perlite CB&Q M&Sw SFRD PFE SP loading (to Globe) Zingerle Bridge

Switching Problems: Payson & Meander Mine Payson is midway between Globe and Ayers Junction, at the foot of the steep grade north to the top of the Mogollon Rim. Passenger trains usually make station stops at Payson. Occasionally they will set out or pick up an RPO or express car. Most freight service to Payson is by M&Sw way freights. The “Copper Queen” mines turn stops in Payson to set-out empty ore cars and pick up loads at nearby Meander Mine.

The town of - Payson, AZ [Helix] Meander Mine Kohl Feed Team Track & Tunnel No. 1 [Helix] Strawberry Happy Jack & Meander Mine Miami [303] [302] [301] Tunnel No. 3 Tunnel No. 2 [401] [401] Kohl Feed & Grain Team Track Express Track [403] [404] [401] Kohl Cattle Co. [405] [402]

Switching Moves – Payson, AZ [401] [405] [404] [403] [402] [301] [302] [303] [Helix] Tunnel No. 3 Tunnel No. 2 Strawberry Happy Jack & Tunnel No. 1 Miami Team Track Express Track Kohl Cattle Co. Kohl Feed Grain Meander Mine M&Sw MKT PFE SP TRAIN – M&Sw No 125 – Payson Turn Payson: <<Pick-Up>> D&RG 4423 Stock Kohl Cattle Co. <<Set-Out>> MKT 2324 Stock Kohl Cattle Co. M&Sw 434 Cov Hopr Kohl Grain SP 38973 Box Team Track Special Instructions: After completing work in Payson Train No 125 returns via Miami to Globe as Train No 126. RPO D&RG

Switching Moves – Copper Queen –Meander Mine (Payson), AZ Tunnel No. 1 [Helix] [303] [302] [301] Miami Strawberry Happy Jack & Meander Mine MT LD LD TRAIN No 401 – Copper Queen (northbound) Payson: . <<Set-Out>> (4) MT Ore Cars Meander Mine Special Instructions: No 401 continues Northbound to Happy Jack with remaining MTs. No 401 returns to Payson Southbound as No 402 after completing work in Happy Jack. =========================== TRAIN No 402 – Copper Queen (southbound) <<Pick-Up>> (5) LD Ore Cars Meander Mine Special Instructions: No 402 returns to Crusher at AZS Jct with LD Ore Cars from Happy Jack and Meander Mine. Kohl Feed & Grain Tunnel No. 3 Tunnel No. 2 [401] [401] Team Track Express Track [403] [404] RPO [401] D&RG [405] Kohl Cattle Co. [402]

THE END of Model Railroading Operations 101: Part 5 – Road Switching Problems

MT LD LD